Alan Leslie Freeman

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Alan Leslie Freeman(“Fluff”), (born July 6, 1927, Melbourne, Australia—died Nov. 27, 2006, Twickenham, Middlesex, Eng.), Australian-born British radio personality who as the host (1961–72, 1989–93, 1997–2000), of BBC radio’s Pick of the Pops, made that musical chart program required listening across Britain. His influence dominated the airwaves, from his distinctive opening theme song and cheery catchphrase “Greetings, pop pickers” to his insistence on playing the pop songs in reverse order to their chart rankings to his enthusiasm for all musicgenres, including hard rock and opera. Freeman also hosted the documentary series The Story of Pop (1973–74), the Saturday Rock Show (1973–78), and Their Greatest Bits (1997–2001) on BBC radio, although he temporarily broke with the BBC to work (1979–89) on London’s Capital Radio station. Freeman was made MBE in 1998 and received a lifetime achievement award in 2000.

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